I grew up in the 1950s and 60s, and by the 70s was wearing hair down to my shoulders, a Fu Manchu mustache and smoking a bit of pot. I also wore shirts with very large collars and loud, wide ties that one could use for a lobster bib if one were so inclined. NEW ZOO REVUE understandably was nothing I was watching. At one point, I got rid of my TV and did not get another one until several months later. My first child was born in 1977, my last two in the late 80s. Suffice it to say I have caught up with NEW ZOO REVUE in fairly recent years. It runs every morning on a local channel. It is fascinating to watch in small doses. I am not sure what message it is delivering, but I doubt it has anything to do with drugs and everything to do with manners and behavior. It is not CAPTAIN KANGAROO or BARNEY or THE WIGGLES or even MR. ROGERS, but it is oddly fascinating -- in measured doses. Mainly because of Doug, I think. That hair! Those clothes! And the way they all clumsily dance around at the opening to that horrible theme song! And that frog! Has there ever been such a frog? It vaguely reminds me of a show from way back when that featured two pretty women (Carol and ?) who sat on swings and taught simple messages and occasionally sang in sweet harmony. Quiet lessons for the very young.
